Last night, I was at my computer, searching for some Marty Robbins to put on my iPod. One thing led to another, and I found myself watching clips of Elliott Smith on YouTube and reading his Wikipedia article. In the Beatles influence section, the article mentions some of the solo works Elliott played regularly in concert. Making the list was only one Lennon song and three of Harrison’s. I’ll just have to take their word for it, but, coincidence?
I have no way of corroborating with first hand knowledge. I only went to one Elliott Smith performance at the Showbox here in Seattle, which, regrettably, I don’t even remember. I do have the ticket stub as proof, though. Nor am I the type of person to take note of such details. The idea that my mother would make the distinction among the Beatles is impressive to me. Sure, I heard the band’s influence in Smith’s work, but beyond that, I wouldn’t be able to make any definitive statements.
There are some people who know everything there is to know about their favorite artists (in whatever genre or medium). However, even regarding the one musician I “completely” obsessed over, I am seriously lacking. I made a pilgrimage to Trent Reznor’s home town, and I religiously traversed the homonymously named street during the five years I lived in New York. But ask me to name all the songs on any Nine Inch Nails album, and I’m sure I couldn’t do it. And there are only a handful of albums to choose from.
I do enjoy reading about artist’s lives, the paths they’ve taken and how it affects their work. I do think a lot about the music as I’m listening to it. And I suppose all those facts and ideas are stored in my brain somewhere. Mostly, however, I just feel like it goes in one head hole and out another.
Speaking of coincidences, I was watching Ron Burgundy on one of the broadcast channels last night, and what song should I hear? “El Paso” by Marty Robbins.
“El Paso” goes viral in my office whenever someone starts singing it. Takes at least a day for it to work itself out of our heads.